Nearly $8 Million Paid To Minnesotans For Getting Vaccinated

MINNESOTA — Nearly 80,000 Minnesotans will be getting paid roughly a combined $8,000,000 for getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in the last few weeks, Gov. Tim Walz announced Monday.

Since July 30, Minnesota residents age 12 and older were given $100 if they receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The program has now ended.

Walz tapped into $2.5 million of the state's American Rescue Plan fund, and an additional $13.8 million from the state's COVID-19 commission, to fund the program. Minnesota is now averaging nearly 5,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each day, according to state data.

"The $100 incentive program was a great success," Walz said in a news release.

"I am so pleased more Minnesotans have received their vaccine and are on their way to protecting themselves, their families, and their communities from COVID-19."

The program was most popular in the rural counties of Brown, Carlton, Sherburne, Mille Lacs, and Chisago.

On Monday, the Federal Drug Administration fully authorized the Pfizer vaccine. It was previously under emergency authorization.

"The FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is exciting news. This vaccine is safe, it’s saving lives, and now it’s fully approved," said Walz.

"Today’s action gives Minnesotans additional assurance that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective. Along with vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, these are the best tools we have in our fight against COVID-19. If you haven’t yet, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get your shot."

As of Monday, 3.2 million Minnesotans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.